How To Make Roasted Garlic

Learn how to roast garlic in the oven, or air fryer, with this easy method! Roasted garlic is a delicious addition to sauces, mashed potatoes, crostini and garlic bread.

Something magical happens when raw garlic is roasted. The strong flavor transforms into a sweet and rich decadence that is so good, it adds delicious flavor to just about any savory recipe!

This process is easy to do with minimal ingredients and effort. All you need is a head of garlic, olive oil, foil and an oven or air fryer. 

Once the garlic is roasted to tender perfection, squeeze out the soft cloves to use in dishes such as pasta, soups, or appetizers. You can even just spread the roasted garlic on crusty bread for a delicious snack or appetizer!

Roasted garlic is high in flavor, but low in calories. So make sure to include it in your meals all week for a delicious boost of flavor!

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How to roast garlic in the oven

• For a whole head of garlic:
  1. Peel the outer papery layers from a bulb of garlic.
  2. Slice about 1/4 inch from the top of the head of garlic.
  3. Place the head of garlic onto a piece of aluminum foil.
  4. Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the head of garlic, making sure oil covers the top of each clove of garlic.
  5. Wrap the foil up around the head of garlic and place it in a 400°F preheated oven.
  6. Roast in the oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the cloves are light brown and soft to the touch.
  7. Allow the garlic to cool to the touch, then use your fingers to gently press each of the cloves out of the skin.

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• For peeled garlic cloves:
  1. Place 6-12 peeled individual cloves of garlic on a piece of foil and drizzle with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil.
  2. Wrap the foil up around the cloves of garlic and place in a 400°F oven for 30-35 minutes.
  3. Remove from the oven, unwrap the foil packet and use the roasted garlic cloves in your favorite recipes.

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How to roast garlic in an air fryer

1. Peel the papery outer layers from a head of garlic.
2. Slice about 1/4 inch from the top of the head of garlic using a sharp knife.
3. Place the head of garlic onto a piece of foil.
4. Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the head of garlic, making sure oil covers the top of each clove of garlic.
5. Wrap the foil up around the head of garlic and place it in an air fryer basket.
6. Roast in the air fryer at 400°F for 25 minutes, or until the cloves are light brown and soft to the touch.
7. Allow the garlic to cool to the touch, then use your fingers to gently press each of the cloves out of the skin.

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Tips and tricks

• If you want to roast several heads of garlic at a time, place each head of garlic in a muffin tin and drizzle with the olive oil. Cover the muffin tin with a baking sheet or piece of foil. Place in a 400°F oven and roast for 40-45 minutes. Roast up to 12 heads of garlic at a time in one muffin tin.
• If you prefer to use parchment paper instead of foil, feel free, just make sure that the entire head of garlic is covered and tuck the parchment paper under the head of garlic before placing it in the oven or air fryer.
• Elevate the flavor. Keeping the flavor neutral with olive oil is ideal, so the roasted garlic can be used in a variety of ways. You can also sprinkle on salt and pepper, or herbs and spices, such as rosemary, paprika, or cayenne pepper if you know what you’ll be using the roasted garlic for, and what flavors would pair well with the recipe.
• The cooking time is an estimate. The size of the head of garlic will affect how long it needs to be roasted. You can always open the foil and check the cloves of garlic before removing it from the oven. If they’re light brown and soft to the touch, they’re roasted and ready to come out of the oven. If they’re not quite done, I recommend adding 5 minutes at a time, until they reach a golden brown color.

Storage options

• Roasted garlic can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 14 days.
• To store the roasted garlic in the freezer, I recommend freezing it in an ice cube tray, or small containers. This way, you can grab just the amount you need for a recipe. This is great for adding roasted garlic to soups, stews or sauces.

Ways to use roasted garlic

• Make garlic butter. Combine 1/2 cup softened butter with 1 head (approximately 20 cloves) of roasted garlic. Spread the garlic butter on toast, or let it melt over a grilled steak.
• Use it as a pizza topping. Toss a few cloves of roasted garlic on homemade pizza for a delicious addition!
• As a spread. Spread roasted garlic on a toasty sliced baguette to make delicious crostini for an easy appetizer!
• Make garlic bread. Combine 1 cup softened butter with 1 head of roasted garlic, 1 cup parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons dried parsley, spread the mixture on a loaf of french bread and pop it in the oven for 10 minutes to make the best garlic bread.
• Add it to mashed potatoes. Mix in a few cloves of roasted garlic to these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes for an incredible addition of flavor!
• Use it in sauces. Add another level of flavor to Bolognese or Boscaiola sauce by tossing in some roasted garlic cloves. Or try this Roasted Garlic Cashew Cream Sauce!
• Pair it with cheese. Roasted garlic + baked brie + a toasty baguette = a match made in foodie heaven!
• Make a dip. Create this amazing Roasted Garlic Dip (with 100 cloves of garlic!!) and serve it with chips, crackers or veggies for dipping.
• Spread it on a sandwich. Amp up the flavor of your next cold cut sandwich, or grilled cheese sandwich, by spreading on a few cloves of roasted garlic.
• Toss with pasta. Coat cooked angel hair pasta with butter or olive oil and mix in roasted garlic cloves and fresh herbs, such as Italian parsley or basil.
• Mix into hummus. Mash the roasted garlic into your favorite store bought or homemade hummus.

More kitchen tutorials

Don’t miss these other quick and easy how-to posts!

• How To Peel Garlic
• How To Cook Bacon In The Oven
• 3 Ways – How To Cook Sweet Potatoes
• How To Caramelize Onions
• How To Hard Boil Eggs

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